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This is a superb account of the civil war years. Weigley has produced a book that combines a good understanding of the military aspects of the war with a clear grasp of the wider issues at stake. The political elements of the war are not neglected, but what makes this book stand out is Weigley's ability to describe the battlefield.
Weigley is refreshingly willing to make judgements about the failures of command both North and South. His main criticism of both sides is that they almost always failed to think beyond the level of the single army. For the Confederacy this meant they had no clear idea of where they should put their strongest efforst. For the Union, this resulted in a failure to use their superior numbers effectively.
An invaluable book for anyone interested in the American Civil War.
Author: Russel F. Weigley
Edition: Paperback
Pages: 648
Publisher: Indiana University Press
Year: 2004